Field Find

[tarcoleo 120]

This likely will be the winter project. Engine is junk. Likely will be

replaced with a new Sino-Nippon 13 hp unit. Needs front wheels but

that may not be daunting. Am excited.

http://tinypic.com/r/2py70uw/7

Tom in RI :)

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,035]

So what is a Sino-Nippon engine?

Mike......

[tarcoleo 120]

A Sino-Nippon engine is a Honda assembled in China. Sorry, left out

the word Honda. An example is the Greyhound sold by Harbour Freight.

Tom in RI

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,035]

Ahh, now I understand.

My neighbor and I call Chinese Hondas "Chondas" .

Mike..........

[Shuboxlover 483]

Poor girl's seen better days.....good luck with getting her going :)

[KC9KAS 4,745]

I think it is a HONDA "look-a-like", but not a HONDA in reality.

I knew a fellow that bought a generator with one of the imitation look-a-likes, and was very upset to find out there wasn't a good warranty on this cheap-o engine.

[tarcoleo 120]

Ken,

I have two C-series WH, one with a genuine Honda, the other with a Harbour

Freight Greyhound. The aluminum castings, down to minor components, are

identical. I can't imagine the parts do not have their origin with Honda.

Tom in RI

PS- Both run like champs.

[HankB 16]

I have two C-series WH, one with a genuine Honda, the other with a Harbour

Freight Greyhound. The aluminum castings, down to minor components, are

identical. I can't imagine the parts do not have their origin with Honda.

One thing that some Chinese manufacturers allegedly do is to use (or copy) the tooling in a plant operated in China by a foreign company to make products under their own brand. It's possible that the Chinese knock-offs were made using Honda tooling. Whether Honda quality was maintained is another matter. (But one can hope...)

[520HC 208]

Why do you think the Engine is junk? I am rebuilding a 414-8 and the Kohler Magnum Engine is rock solid.

[Jim_M 179]

The chinese copies are just that, copies. They have no affiliation with Honda whatsoever.

I have 2 of the chinese diesels, they're copies of a Yanmar diesel and Yanmar parts will bolt right on, but their manufacturer has no affiliation with Yanmar in any way shape or form.

[tarcoleo 120]

Copy, facsimile, knock-off, or Chinese-assembled, whatever, I elected not to take

on the 414 project. The unit has been sitting outside for God knows how long

with the cylinder head removed, front wheels missing, PTO clutch lining

separated, drive belt cover missing, seatless, no attachments, and heaven knows

what else. On top of that, the local constabulary won't permit it to be towed home

and that's the only way I can move it. Looks like my WH collection is stalled at two.

Tom in RI :)

[tarcoleo 120]

Jim,

Honda has extensive interests in Chinese assembly plants. See site below.

Hard to imagine with Honda's clout that the Chinese would forge Honda engines.

My guess.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10172345

Tom in RI

[KC9KAS 4,745]

Just try to collect on the copy-cat HONDA warranty!

[Jim_M 179]

Jim,

Honda has extensive interests in Chinese assembly plants. See site below.

Hard to imagine with Honda's clout that the Chinese would forge Honda engines.

My guess.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10172345

Tom in RI

You don't have to take my word for it. Buy one, look it over really good, then come back and tell me if you still think Honda had anything to do with it.

[VinsRJ 723]

The Clone Engines are a good buy IMO. I've had my $100 Harbor Frieght GH on my Rat all summer long with no issues what so ever. We're talking work and racing around duty.

If you stop by Tractor Supply, drag a Honda over to the TS Clone you will see that they are identical. The only difference is the casting of the blocks on the Clones are a little ruffer than the Honda. There's no way that Honda doesn't have their hand into these clones.

And as for warranties HF provides a full two year replacement for an additional $19.99....... Save your receipt and register the motor on-line. How can you beat for a $127.00, which includes CT tax, a new motor with a two year replacement. :)

[PPGman 5]

I have a couple of these "Chonda's" on 2 generators. Have to say, they work great and are every bit as reliable as my other tools with Honda engines. The engines i have, parts seem to be a direct swap.

Interesting story, my brother in law works in manufacturing, and has visited Honda plants many times. When the "Chondas" starting comming online a few yrs back he asked them what the deal was. Part of the deal was that certain patents expired (but than again, copyrights never meant much to the Chinese), and the other explaination was that several higher ups left Honda, and took a ton of casting templates with them, and started manufacturing on their own. According to him, basically a bunch of people walked out the door with casting forms and cad drawlings, and started making engines.

I do remember him saying that they tested a bunch of these 5-10hp "Chonda's" in their R&D lab and found them to be every bit as tough as the oringinal Honda. As i recall though, they never used them because they didn't have the proper EPA emission certifications to use in manufacturing.

[Jim_M 179]

Don't get me wrong. My chinese diesels have been great engines, never a problem. I'm not too worried about the warranty, if it craps out, I'll junk it and buy another, they're cheap.

I'm just saying that even though they're identical to a Yanmar, they're NOT a Yanmar. Same goes for Honda clones, even though they look like Hondas, they're NOT Hondas.

Do you really think Yanmar or Honda would sell, endorse or have anything to do with selling a copy of their engine design at 1/4 the price? How would they make any money on it? Why would they still bother to sell their original engine AND a lower priced version of the same engine? Does the engine say Honda on it anywhere? Of course not, it's not a Honda

Even if they sold the licensing to another company, they would have to charge an amount about equal to the selling price of the cheaper engine to make any money.

Why would they risk tarnishing their reputation with a cheaper copy of their engine.

Come on guys, you're smarter than that. Buy them, use them, throw them away, just realize that you're buying a copy, not the real thing for 1/4 the price.

Take one of the clones to your local Honda shop and ask them if it's a Honda, just be prepared to duck.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Ok guys... we've been down the clone road several times and it never ends nicely.

Tom says he's not taking on the project, the thread is done.